4 Arson Fires in 2 Hours Leads to Arrest, Possibly Other Previous Fires
Photo: Samuel Villa Scholfield
ANDERSON – Detectives with the Shasta County Major Crime’s Unit and the Arson Task-Force have arrested a suspect in relation multiple arson fires in the area.
Authorities first began investigating after multiple arson fires were reported in the Anderson and Cottonwood areas earlier this year. The fires initially began occurring as far back as July and continued to occur with, with alarming regularity, through late October. An 86 year old man by the name of Barcie Miller lost his life in one of the earlier fires that occurred on Willow Street in Cottonwood.
Investigators reviewed video surveillance from the area of the October 14th and October 20th fires and were able to identify a potential suspect vehicle, after a red four door compact sedan was seen in the immediate vicinity of both fires.
Then, between 3:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. on Friday October 26th, a series of 4 separate suspected arson fires were reported in Anderson. At 5:15 a.m. that same morning, detectives saw the red four-door compact car as they “conducted saturation patrols” in the area. A traffic stop was made, and they made contact with 19-year-old Samuel Villa Scholfield who was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
Scholfield’s car
Investigators interviewed Scholfield and subsequently arrested him for the four October 26th fires. He was booked into the Shasta County Jail and his bail was set at $800,000.
A search warrant was also served at Scholfield’s house in Cottonwood, which is in close proximity to the earliest fires. Investigators say the investigation is ongoing, and the Arson Task-Force is examining a large of mount of physical, biological, and digital evidence in relation to the over 40 arson fires that have have occurred in the area since July.
The Sheriff’s Office has asked that anyone who has specific information in about Scholfield, or his vehicle being seen in the vicinity of any recent fires, to please call the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 530-245-6135 or email mcu@co.shasta.ca.us.”
